CSC 221 - Introduction to Computer Science II

August 19 and 21:  There will be class on Wednesday, August 19, and laboratory on Friday, August 21, 2000.   Bring your textbook to lab (always)!

CSC 221 is the second course in the three course programming sequence: CSC 121, CSC 221, CSC 332. These courses are currently taught using the Java programming language and a Windows environment. The prerequisite for CSC 221 is CSC 121 (with a grade of "C" or better), and the corequisite is CSC 133 (Discrete Mathematical Structures). Topics in CSC 221 include searching and sorting, recursive algorithms, file input and output, reusable classes and packages, inheritance and polymorphism, event-driven programming, and graphical user interfaces.

Note: Students may declare a major in Computer Science after completion of CSC 100, 121, 133, and 221 with a grade point average of at least 2.5 on these 4 courses and with an overall grade point average of at least 2.0.

TEXTBOOK

Starting Out with Java: From Control Structures through Data Structures.  Gaddis/Muganda ISBN: 0-321-42102-7.

GRADING

 The lecture section will determine 50% of the course grade and the lab section 50% of the course grade as itemized below. Thus, to succeed/excel in the course, a student must succeed/excel in both lecture and lab.

• Lecture Section
  Programming concepts will be presented and discussed in the lecture section. This includes algorithms, Java syntax and semantics, program design, and discussion of programming projects and labs. Exams and quizzes will take place in the lecture section. You should come to lecture prepared by having read the sections that are listed for that day on the class schedule. Sample programs will be linked to the course schedule. Check the schedule daily for updates.
  
  
  • Quizzes
    Quizzes will serve as milestones between exams and provide valuable feedback. There will be roughly a quiz every week, usually on Monday. Each quiz will be given near the end of the class period and last about 10 minutes. Make-up quizzes will not be given, but your two lowest quiz grade will be dropped.  Your quiz average is worth 1/6 of your grade.

   

  • Exams
    There will be one 50-minute exam. Tentative date is given in the course schedule. The exam will count 1/6 of your course grade. Make-up exams will not be given.
    
    
  • Final Exam
    The final exam will be comprehensive and counts 1/6 of your course grade.
    
    
• Lab Section
  Your lab section will be used for hands-on programming activities. These activities may be structured or unstructured, individual or collaborative, and may vary between the lab sections. You should come to lab with your Java book(s) and notes and be ready to write code for the entire period. Bring storage media to lab to put your work on, and be sure to back up your work on your home computer.
  
  
  • Lab Participation
    You are expected to stay for the entire lab period and remain focused on the assigned tasks. Hopefully, you will feel that the lab is a non-threatening environment where you can work to improve your programming ability. Realize that there is a wide range in programming abilities and all students should work to do their individual best. Strong programmers who complete the task at hand may be asked to peer tutor their weaker classmates and/or work on other programs.
    
  • Lab Activities
    During most lab periods you will be given a mini-project to work on. Generally, labs will be collaborative in nature, you can talk to your classmates and ask for help. There will be approximately 13 lab meetings and you will receive a grade for each one (0, 50, or 100). Most labs will consist of two to five parts that must be completed in sequence. The parts will vary in difficulty so that most students will complete the first part, but only the best programmers will complete all parts in lab. All parts must be attempted. Comment out non-functioning code before submitting for grade. Labs are due by midnight the following Friday.   A fully completed lab will receive a 100, a mostly completed lab 50, and a partially done or unsubmitted lab will receive a zero.   Lab attendance is mandatory.   If you are not physically present for the lab, the highest score you may receive on a lab is 50 (for a fully completed lab).   Your average lab score will be 1/6 of your grade.  
    
  • Programming Projects
    There will be several programming projects. One project will be a team project. You will be expected to complete these projects outside of class. Programming projects will count 2/6 of your course grade. Specific instructions concerning due dates, late programs, assessment criteria, etc., will be given when the programs are assigned. 

    To receive full credit, an assignment must be submitted electronically by 11:59pm on the date the assignment is due.   Assignments turned in after the due date will be deducted 10 points for each day late up to 5 days.    All assignments must be submitted.   Any missed assignment will result in the student receiving an F for the course.
    
    

• Course Grade
  A modified 10-point scale will be used to compute your course grade. If your course score falls just below a cutoff, the higher grade may be assigned. Factors that affect this judgment are the distribution of grades, improvement during the semester, and attendance
   

  90 - 100 A

  80 - 89.5 B

  70 - 79.5 C

  60 - 69.5 D

  If your course score falls just below a cutoff, a higher, + grade may be assigned solely at the discretion of the instructor.

Honor Code

It is the responsibility of every student to uphold and maintain the UNCW Academic Honor Code (see Section V of your Student Handbook). You violate the honor code when you represent someone else's work as your own. Homework assignments may be collaborative but copying is forbidden.   Please indicate on your homework assignment the persons with which you collaborated. 

Learning Strategies

You are expected to take an active role in your learning in this course. This includes regular attendance, paying attention in class, reading the textbook, and completing all course requirements. You are encouraged to study with your classmates outside of class. \

Policies

Code of Student Life (PDF)

UNCW practices a zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment of any kind.  For emergencies contact UNCW CARE at 962-2273, Campus Police at 962-3184, or Wilmington Police at 911.  For University or community resources visit http://uncw.edu/wrc/crisis.htm

Academic Honor Code

Students with Disabilities

If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodation in this course, you should inform the instructor of this fact in writing within the first week of class or as soon as possible. If you have not already done so, you must register with the Office of Disability Services in Westside Hall (extension 3746) and obtain a copy of your Accommodation Letter. You should then meet with your instructor to make mutually agreeable arrangements based on the recommendations of the Accommodation Letter.

Student Affairs Disability Services - Policies and Procedures